Physical Exam

A physical exam is a medical checkup designed to ensure that you are in good health. It is also a preventative tool that helps the doctor detect the early indications of many dangerous conditions before they worsen. The yearly checkup contributes to the development of a more tailored healthcare experience by identifying particular patient status and individual needs.

Where Can I Get a Physical Exam?

An annual physical exam can be performed by any primary care physician. This involves internal medicine and family medicine professionals, pediatricians, and doctors working in urgent care clinics. We can assist you in finding a new primary care doctor or scheduling an appointment for a checkup.

What Is Included In an Annual Physical Exam?

A full-body checkup lasts 30 minutes and usually entails measuring your body temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate. Your yearly physical or general wellness appointment would also consist of other tests such as:

• Assess your vital signs, including your temperature, blood pressure, breathing rate, heart rate, and blood oxygenation
• Examine your overall skin health, including your hair, nails, gait, posture when standing, and whether you have any skin conditions like acne, eczema, psoriasis, etc
• Examine your throat, nose, ears, eyes, mouth, arteries, lymph nodes, and thyroid in your neck and head
• Check whether there are any physical anomalies in your arms and legs
• Examine the function of your nervous system, including your reflexes, balance, mental acuity, muscular strength, and nerves
• Examine your belly for any symptoms of disease (your doctor could touch and press on your abdomen to accomplish this)
• Examine your heart for disorders such as an irregular heartbeat, a cardiac murmur, and others.
• Check for wheezes, crackles, or other strange breathing noises, as they may be a sign that you have asthma, emphysema, or pneumonia

Other aspects of the exam differ depending on gender. Women frequently have their breasts and pelvis checked, while males typically have their testicles and prostate looked at by a specialist.

Importance of Regular Physical Exams

Annual physical exams are essential for maintaining health and recognizing disease signs. Major illnesses may exhibit southward signs before symptoms occur. Regular physical exams with the same primary care provider aid in the early detection of changes, helping avoid life-threatening conditions.

Tips for Preparing for Your Annual Physical Exam

It is recommended to gather information before your appointment for the exam to be productive and efficient. Some of the things that might be useful to bring include:

• A current list of all prescription drugs, herbal supplements you take
• An overview of any physical symptoms or ongoing discomfort you’ve recently encountered.
• Any recent laboratory tests, diagnostic evaluations, or relevant tests
• Complete medical and surgical history
• Information about how to reach any doctors you’ve recently visited.

Inform your doctor of any implanted devices you may have, such as a pacemaker or defibrillator. You can also make a list of any questions you have, ensuring you leave some space for writing down responses during your exam.